Jalousies



Sept. 3, 1957 D. G. HUDSON 2,804,921

JALOUSIES Filed May 1, 1953 3 Shets-Sheet 1 Tia-.1

INVENTOR.

- 00/1 04 G HUDSON ATTOf/Yf) Filed y 1. 195:5

D. G. HUDSON JALOUSIES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. ou/vaq/v Q #0030 ATTORNEY Sept. 3, 1957 D. e. HUDSON 2,804,921

JALOUSIES Filed May 1, 1953 :s Sheets-Sheet s R. l E 432 426 420 'aa/voq/v e HUDSON ATTOR/Vf) IN V EN TOR.

2,804,921 JALOUSIES Duncan G. Hudson, Birmingham, Mich.

Application May 1, 1953, Serial No. 352,328

6 Claims. (Cl. 160-104) This invention relates to jalousies and more particularly to adjustable length jalousies which are adapted to be afiixed permanently or detachably to a window unit or a door unit such as a screen of any width, on either the exterior or the interior thereof so that light andair may be admitted through the window or door while sun and suitable characteristics.

rain are excluded and so that once the jalousies are siecured to the screen the jalousies and the screen may remain a unitary structure, if desired, enabling the screens and jalousies to be transported, installed, removed, and stored as a unit.

These and other objects of the invention will be specifically pointed out or will become apparent by reference to the following specification when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a door or window frame provided with a screen, the screen being equipped with one form of the novel jalousie;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a strip stamped from a sheet of material prior to its being bent to form the jalousie illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged elevational view of the screen and jalousies illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the screen and jalousies taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3 more clearly illustrating the manner in which the jalousie is secured to the screen;

Fig. 6 is aperspective view of a window screen equipped with the novel jalousie, the jalousie being attached to the screen in a modified manner;

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the screen and jalousie illustrated in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is an elevational view of a modified form of jalousie attached to a screen;

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the screen and jalousie illustrated in Fig. 8 taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the screen and jalousie illustrated in Fig. 8 taken on the line 10-10 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is an elevational View of a modified form of jalousie;

Fig. 12 is :a cross-sectional view of the jalousie illustrated in Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a plan view of a modified form of jalousie;

Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the jalousie illustrated in Fig. 13; and Fig. 15 is an end view of the jalousie illustrated in Figs. 13 and 14 illustrating the flexibility of the jalousie.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like and corresponding parts throughout the several views, the embodiments shown therein to illustrate the invention comprise :a screen which may be either a door screen or a window screen and a plurality of jalousies, each of which is adjustable in length to fit screens of various widths. In all of the modifications of the jalousies, each jalousie is secured to the screen Patented Sept. 3, 1957 itself rather than to the door or window frame as will appear more fully hereinafter.

One form-which the invention may take is illustrated in Figs. 1-5 wherein the novel jalousie 20 may be stamped as a strip from aluminum or other sheet material of Thestamped strip 20 assumes the continuously reversing form as shown in Fig. 2 and is provided at its upper edge 26 at each peak and valley 21, and 22, respectively, with an outwardly projecting finger or pin 23. Obviously, more than one finger or pin may be formed at each peak and valley. The stamping operation in addition to forming the strips and providing the fingers also may lightly score or emboss the strip vertically as indicated by the dotted lines 24. The scoring or embossing of the strip makes it easier for one properly to locate and bend the strip to the accordion pleated shape illustrated in Fig. 1. The accordion pleating of the strip 20 enables its effective length to be varied at will. To shorten the strip, the segments 25 between the creases 24 are simply brought closer together by making each crease sharper and thereby reducing the over all or effective length of the strip. The effective length of the strip may be increased simply by pulling on the ends thereof to make the creases 24 less pronounced.

When the strip 20 is accordion pleated, the upper edges 26 of'the segments 25 will all lie in the same vertical plane and the lower edges 27 of the segments also will be vertically coplanar with each other. The strip itself, however, when afiixed to the screen will have a downward slope enabling the strip to deflect the suns rays and shed rain.

The jalousie of the embodiment shown in Figs. 1-5 is afiixed to the screen 30 by adjusting the length of the jalousie 20to correspond to the distance between the two side bars 31 of the screen frame 32 and inserting the fingers 23 of the jalousie through the interstices of the screen mesh. The fingers are then bent behind the screen, the fingers at the peaks 21 being bent upwardly and those at the valleys 22 being bent downwardly as clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Obviously, these bends may be made as desired. Optionally, the fingers 23 may have a hole punched therein for the purpose of optionally wiring or bolting the formed jalousie strips to the screen. Obviously, nails could be driven through the holes into horizontal supporting strips of wood. It will be seen from Fig. 3 that every two segments 25 are provided with an attachment to the screen which is triangular or truss-like in form with the fingers triangulated to provide a solid, strong connection which will be able to withstand wind velocity without rattling or pulling loose from the screen.

Because of the shape of the jalousie as stamped, the inner edge 26 thereof is coplanar with the screen 30 when the jalousie is accordion pleated but the jalousie itself slopes relatively to the screen. Thus, the jalousies may be spaced vertically from each other and shade an area greater than their own widths during those periods of the day when the suns rays are the strongest while at thesame time offering little, if any, obstruction to a breeze. Further, the slope and widths of the jalousies will prevent rain from passing through the screen into the interior of a building. If the screen 30 is in a window, therefore, the window need not be closed during a shower but may remain open permitting free circulation of air.

The light weight of the jalousies of Figs. 1-5 is a particularly important feature of the invention. The light weight of the jalousies permits a plurality of them to be installed on this screen without making the screen too heavy to handle easily. This feature permits one person to attach the jalousies before the screen is installed where he conveniently may work on both sides of the screen would need to been a ladder outsidethe building holding the jalousie in position while the other of whom would need to be inside the building bending the fingers into position. Since the jalousies ;are attacheddirectly tothe screens themselves, this operation 'need. be done only once inasmuch as the jalousie will go with.'the screen .when the latter is removed for storage during'the winter months. It is also possible by this unique featureto install easily and safely such window shadeson the windows of 'hotels and oflice buildings far above the street'level where conventional awning erection would be'hazardous and frequently financially prohibitive.

The jalousie illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 is generally similar to that shown in Figs. 1-5 in that jalousie '120 comprises a strip of suitable materialblanked in the same general shape as shownin Fig. 2. The scoring of the strip 120 at the peaks and valleys 121 and 1 22, respectively, is wider than a mere crease and takes the form of a flat section 124 between the panels 125. The ends of the fiat sections 124 are extended beyond the upper edge 126 of the jalousie 120 to form fingers 123 which are adapted to be rolled about .upper and lower supporting bars 127 and 128, respectively.

To install jalousie 120, the length of the accordion pleated strip is adjusted to correspond to the width of the screen 130. The fingers 123 are rolled about the adjacent supporting bar 127 or 128 and the supporting bars are then secured directly to screen frame 131 by suitable means such as screws 133. Any two panels 125 are provided with a triangular attachment through the cooperation of the fingers and the supporting bars. Because of the rigidity of the connection of the jalousie to the bars 127, 128 and the solidity of the attachment of the bars to the screens frame, it is impossible for the jalousie either to contract or extend its length once it is installed on the screen frame. The jalousie is therefore firm and stable and will be free irom objectionable rattling even in strong winds. Additional jalousies may be installed in the manner just described or, if closer spacing is desired, a jalousie may be placed immediately under the jalousie illustrated with the finger at the peaks of the second jalousie being rolled around the lower suporting bar 128 and the fingers at the valleys being rolled around a third supporting bar, not shown.

Quite obviously, the jalousie 120 is possessed of the same advantages present in jalousie 20. Jalousie 120, however, may be utilized on those screens where the mesh of the screening material is too fine or too weak to permit fingers or pins to be passed through the interstices of the screen to anchor the jalousie. The efiect of the manner of installation of jalousie 120 is the same as that obtained in jalousie 20, however, since the screen is equipped with a plurality of vertically spaced strips secured to the screen so that installation or removal of'the screen automatically installs or removes the jalousies.

Figs. 8, 9, and 10 disclose a modified form of jalousie 220 in which the individual strips are generally smiliar to strips 120 in that strips 220 are formed with flat sections 224 between the panels 225. In strips 220, however, the fiat sections 224 extend beyond both the upper edge 226 and the lower edge 227 to form fingers 223 on both sides of the strip 220. The fingers 223 are provided only at the peaks 221 of the strip, however, and not at the valleys 222. In installing jalousies 220, the frame 231 of the screen is provided with an upper, horizontal, generally L-shaped bracket 250 with the foot 251 of the bracket being secured to the screen frame 231 by screws 252 or'the like. The leg 253 of the L-shaped bracket 250 is bent outwardly of the screen on a slope corresponding to the desired slope of the jalousies, and adjacent the bend between the leg and the foot the bracket is provided with suitably spaced apertures 254.

The jalousie 220 is adjusted by means of its accordion pleats to a length corresponding to the width of the screen.

.ousies 220. peaks of the second strip may be clamped about the flat jalousie without interference.

The peaks 221 of jalousie 220 are positioned under the leg 253 of the bracket 250 and the finger 223 adjacent the upper edge 226 of the jalousie is passed through one of the apertures 254 and bent around the upper face of bracket leg 253. The fingers 223 adjacent the lower edge 227 are bent around the edge of the bracket leg 253 and clamped thereto. This procedure is followed at every peak of the jalousie throughout its length.

At each end of the jalousie the screen frame 231 is provided with an L-bracket 255 the foot 256 of which is secured to the frame 231 by screws 257 or the like, and the leg 258 of which extends at right angles to the plane of the screen. The bracket 255 is apertured as at 259 adjacent the bend between the foot and the leg as most clearly shown in Fig. 10. The terminal fiat section 224 is bent to lie parallel to and adjacent the leg 258 of the angle bracket and the finger 223 at the inner edge 226 .of the terminal flat section is bent through the aperture .of such width that no limitation of the effective length of the jalousies is imposed by restricted width apertures.

When the first or upper strip 220 is installed, it is a simple matter to position a second strip 220, identical to the first in every respect, immediately under the first but .Withthe peaks and valleys of the second strip alter- ;nately disposed with respect to the peaks and valleys of the first strip. That is, the peaks 221 of the second strip 220 are disposed adjacent the valleys 222 of the first or upper strip. It has been pointed out that the fingers 223 are formed only at the peaks 221 of the jal- This being the case, the fingers 223 at the sections 224 at the valleys 222 of the first or upper The terminal flat sections 124 at the ends of the second strip are bent in a direction topposite the direction of the ends of the first strip and are secured to the side brackets 255 in the same manner as hereinbefore described. As many of the jalousies 220 .may be installed on the screen 231 as desired and the structure is exceptionally rigid inasmuch as the inter- ?locking manner of connecting the jalousies provides sup- .port for .each jalousie in a vertical, lateral, and oblique 'previously referred to and in addition provide adoor or window screen with a unique and attractive latticework appearance which not only enhances the appearance of :the whole building but also performs the desired functions of shading and shielding the interior of the building from sun and rain.

Figs. 11 and 12 disclose a modified form of jalousie 320 which is composed of two sections 320a and 320b,

'the latter being telescopically received in the former.

Each of the sections 320a and 32% includes a central .panel 321a, 321b terminating at one side in a rolled edge 322a, 32212 and at the other side in an oppositely rolled edge 3230, 323k. Due to the oppositely rolled edges, the .rolled edge 322a is external of the rolled edge 322b at the bottom of the jalousie but the. rolled edge 323a internal of the rolled edges 32312 at the top of the jalousie. Thus the two sections may be said to be interlockingly telescoped since it is impossible to separate the sections except by withdrawing one section longitudinally from the other.

'Jalousies 320 are installed by telescopically inserting them into brackets 350 secured at each side of the screen frame 331. Each bracket 350 is essentially L-shaped havinga foot 351 secured to the screen frame by a screw 352 or the like and extending above the leg 353 of the bracket which is at right angles to the screen. The foot of the bracket terminates in a boxed bead 354 which is adapted to be snugly but slidably received by the rolled edge 332a of the jalousie 320 with the boxed portion of the bead structure lying externally of the upper edge of the jalousie. The end of the bracket leg 353 terminates in a downwardly rolled head which is adapted to be slidably and snugly received by the corresponding rolled edge of the jalousie.

Once the brackets 350 are secured to the screen frame, the jalousie is received and snugly retained therein by the cooperation of the rolled edges of the jalousies and the beads of the brackets. Because of the interlocking telescopic arrangement of the two sections 320a and 320k neither section can be freed from the other except by longitudinal withdrawal and to prevent accidental withdrawal, each section is lightly embossed as at 360 so that the frictional resistance to telescopic movement of the two sections is increased. The embossing of the sections may be done at the time the jalousies are stamped and it should be noted that the embossing of the sections not only increases frictional resistance to relative movement, but also increases the strength of each section and also enhances its appearance.

As many jalousies 320 may be provided on a window or door screen as is necessary to provide for adequate shading and shielding. Each jalousie 320 may be considered a miniature awning in that it functions in the same manner as an awning. The end result of jalousies 320 is vastly superior to that obtained by an awning, however, in that each jalousie quickly and easily may be installed, the installation is either permanent or detachable, as desired, and the length of the jalousies is adjustable via the telescoping sections to fit any width door or window.

Figs. 13-15 disclose a slightly modified form of telescoping jalousie 420 composed of two sections 420a and 420b, the latter section being telescopically received in the former. The sections 420a and 42% present an undulating or wavy appearance caused by longitudinal corrugations which are formed in the sections during manufacturing operations to provide lateral strength to the sections.

Each section of jalousie 420 is provided with an outwardly rolled bead 421a, 421b adjacent the upper edge 426 of the jalousie and with outwardly rolled beads 422a, 422b adjacent the lower edge 427 of the jalousie, the beads 421band 422b being rolled on a smaller radius than beads 421a and 422a so that the former may be slidably received in the latter.

Brackets 450 are provided in which to secure jalousies 420 and these brackets may be formed from an angle iron having its flange 451 adapted to be secured to a screen frame 431 by suitable means such as screws 432. The right angle section 433 of the. bracket is narrower at the upper end 435 than at the lower end 436 and the wall of the bracket is cut away along a suitable radius to receive the corrugated jalousie 420. Rounded grooves 437 are cut into the bracket section 433 at the ends of the radius cut 436 to receive snugly the rolled beads of the jalousie 420. The distance between the grooves 437 is somewhat less than the width of the jalousie 42G necessitating lateral compression of the jalousie for installation in the brackets so that a snug fit is achieved.

Installation of the jalousie is a simple procedure, it being necessary only to secure the brackets 450 to the screen frame 431, adjust the length of the jalousie to correspond to the width of the door or window, and insert the jalousie in the brackets. Insertion of the jalousie in the bracket is done by laterally compressing the jalousie with ones hands. This compressing operation is not difiicult to do because the longitudinal corrugations provide yieldable lines along the length of the jalousie. As illustrated in Fig. 15, the jalousie may be compressed by applying force on each of the beads 429a and 422a and this force will be distributed along the corrugations, compressing the width of the jalousie and making the corrugations more pronounced. The beads of the jalousie may then be hooked under the rounded grooves of the brackets and will be retained therein under the pressure exerted by the jalousie tending to resume its original shape indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 15.

The pressure retention of the jalousie in the brackets assures that the jalousie will not be dislodged therefrom in the event of high winds. The pressure retention of the jalousie also assures that the length of the jalousie will be maintained as originally installed.

The inexepensive quality jalousies disclosed herein are very effective to accomplish the shading and shielding functions heretofore obtainable only with high priced equipment. A conventional window having its entire height protected by several jalousies vertically spaced from each other is more completely shaded and more completely shielded from rain than it is with a conventional awning since the latter covers only the upper portion of the window, but the cost of the jalousies is only a fraction of the cost of the awning. A further advantage of the novel jalousies which has been referred to but which cannot be overemphasized is the adjustable length of each of the jalousies herein disclosed. This feature permits mass production of a single size jalousie which can be lengthwise adjusted to fit any width window or door within reasonable limits. 7

Other major advantages of the novel jalousies which have been alluded to may be summarized as follows:

The jalousies permit full ventilation without the dampening effect on air movement of conventional awnings, has no rattle or wind sound elfects, prohibits rain entry and presents no problems of erection in the spring and removal in the fall so that winters full sunshine can be enjoyed. Large office buildings and hotels can dispense with expensive-to-maintain Venetian blinds where exposure to the suns heat is a window problem.

The jalousies are afiixed to the screen itself .so that when the screens are removed for the winter season the jalousies are automatically removed therewith, thereby eliminating a second operation to remove the shading equipment.

The narrow, adjustable length jalousies permit any window width to be covered using a suitable degree of hand bending. When certain of the jalousies are secured to the screen there is then formed a true truss structure having a stability limited only by plate deflection of the screen over an inch or so of radius due to the unique interlocking nature or pattern of engagement. This is accomplished without materially impeding sight and particularly air mass flow.

The jalousies do not shroud the upper portion of a window as is the case with an awning, but are merely narrow strips of material extending across the width of the window permitting light to pass between the jalousies and permitting free circulation of air through the entire height of the window.

Jalousies attached to the screen of a door or window preserve the privacy of the interior of a building in much the same way as a Venetian blind by restricting the view of a person outside the building to a relatively small view of the ceiling while a person inside the room may look downwardly and outwardly with little restriction.

The jalousies herein disclosed may be installed on a screen inside a window as in the case of a casement window by merely inverting the jalousies and securing them to the screen. When this installation is availed of the jalousies will have the appearance of upwardly directed louvers which will effectively shade the suns rays and which will effectively prevent rain from entering the room since rain striking the jalousies will run down the outside of jalousie and dripofi'onto thescreenand be carried away .-by gravity. I

The jalousies of this invention'may be :attached to. the complete length of thewindow or door or onlyto selected areas thereof so that a person who keeps the upper part of his windows covered by a blind or shade need attach jalousies only to the lower portion of the window toprovide shade for the uncovered portion. This aspect of the invention enables the costof providing shade to the interior of a window to be further decreasedunder the cost of conventionalawnings.

Various forms of the jalousies disclosed herein may be madefrom inexpensive material, such as suitably impregnated cardboard or the like, enabling these jalousies to be rigidly attached to the screen in the truss-like manner .described yet, due to the inexpensiveness of the jalousies themselves, they may vbe discarded when the need for them has passed. Thus, a throw-away jalousie may be ofiered to purchasers at lowcost enabling them to shade and shield their windows and doors during the summer and throw away the jalousies when the screens are removed thereby completely eliminating the need for providing even such small storage space as would be required when the jalousies of a more permanent nature are left inposition onthe screen. 7

It is obvious that the embodiments of the invention shown in Figs. 6-15 maybe incorporated not only on screens, but on other window and door units such as storm windows and stormdoors to provide shade and privacy. These embodiments may also be installed on the building itself to span the window openings, but this manner of installation, while being efiective to shade and shield the window opening, would deprive the jalousie user of the portabilityfeaturerof the screen or storm window as a unit.

Throughout the specification and claims, the term screen is intended to. have its ordinary meaning as understood by persons when referring to window ordoor screens. That is, the term screen is-not to belimited to the mesh'itself but is intended to include the frame by which the meshis supported.

While the invention has been shown and described in detail, including several'modifications, it'is obvious that the invention is susceptible ofvarious other modifications within the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

l. A jalousie comprising a strip of bendable material adapted tolie horizontally Zig-zagacross a window screen with one edge adjacent the'screen and the other edge extending outwardly therefrom; said strip-being transversely bent in accordion pleats defining top reverse bend portions, bottom reverse bend portions, and interconnecting. fiatportions; said adjacent edge of;said strip flat portions being angled downwardly outwardlytrom said top bend portions to said bottom bend portions-so that said strip inclines downwardlyoutwardly relative to an adjacent vertical screen;-and meansextending from at least said strip adjacent edge top bend portions for securing the -ja1ousie on a screen.

2. In a device as set forth in claim 1, a second like strippositionedrelative to, said strip with said top bend portions of.said..secon'd strip'lyingadjacent said bottom bend portions of saidstrip, and clips securing said strip bottom bend portionsand said second strip top bend portions. together. 7

3. -A window..-mesh-screen jalousie comprising a windowscreen, at least one accordionpleated bendable strip disposed zigzag horizontally across said screen having one edge: adjacent thereto and another edge extending therefrom; said strip'having top reverse curve' portions, bottom reverse. curve portions, and interconnecting flat portions; said adjacent edge of said fiat portions being angled downwardly outwar'dlvfrom saidtop bend portions to said bottom bend.portions so that said strip inclines downwardly outwardly relativeto said screen, and tabs on saidstrip adjacentedge at least at said bend portions leading through and secured in said screen mesh.

4. In a'deviceas set forth in claim 3, a secondlike strip positioned relative to said strip with said .topbend portions of said second strip lying adjacent said bottom bend portions of said strip, and clips securing said strip bottom bend portions and said second strip top .bend portions together.

5. A window screen jalousiecomprising a screen frame and overlying mesh, at least one accordion pleated bendable strip disposed zig-zag horizontally across said screen having oneedge adjacent thereto and another edge extending therefrompsaid striplhaving top reverse curve portions,'bottom reverse curve portions, and interconnectingilat portions; saidadjacent edge of said flat portionsbeing angled. downwardly outwardly from said top bendportions'tosaid bottom bend portions so that said strip inclines downwardly outwardly relative to said screen, at least. one horizontalbar mounted on said screen frame on either side of said screen mesh, and tabs on said strip adjacent edge at least at said top'bend portions secured to said bar. 6. In adevice as set-forth in claim5, a second like stn'p positioned relative to said strip with said top bend portions of said second str-ip lying adjacent saidbottom bend portionsof said strip, and means securing said strip bottom bend portions andi'said second striptop bend portions together.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,018,215 Stein Feb. 20, 1912 1,069,976 Perrier Aug.'12, 1913 1,118,365 Lochler -Nov. 24, 1914 1,380,980 Lane June 7, 1-921 2,179,541 Burke Nov. 14,1939 2,357,435 Taylor 'Sept. 5, 1944 2,496,921 Vicksell ;Feb. 7, 1950 2,616,498 -Wisner et al Nov. 4, 1952 2,695,430 Wakefield Nov. 30, 1954 .FOREIGN .PATENTS 674,059 Germany Apr. 4, 1939 

